Living in Union City
Union City is a city in southern Fulton County, Georgia, situated approximately 15 miles south of downtown Atlanta and 10 miles from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Its location within the Atlanta metropolitan area, combined with a steady pattern of investment in parks, community programming, and infrastructure, has positioned it as a practical and well-connected option for people looking for southern Fulton County access at a manageable scale.
The city covers 19.3 square miles of land and water, with a population that reflects the diversity of the broader southwest Atlanta corridor. Union City's street grid is organized around several major corridors, including Jonesboro Road, Roosevelt Highway, and U.S. Route 29, which together connect residents to Atlanta, the airport, and communities across Clayton and Fulton counties.
Parks are a growing priority in Union City. The city maintains several distinct park properties, each serving different recreational functions. Ronald Bridges Park on Lakeside Drive offers a natural environment for walking and outdoor leisure. Veterans Park has been reimagined as a civic landmark. Eagles Nest Sports Complex on Roosevelt Highway serves athletic leagues and families. The city is also investing in new greenway trails, signaling continued attention to outdoor connectivity.
The Gathering Place Community Center at 6280 Bryant Street is the central hub for Union City recreation programming, hosting activities for youth, adults, and seniors. The Fulton County Library system serves residents through the Gladys S. Dennard Library at South Fulton on Flat Shoals Road, which is one of the larger branches in the county system and offers a broad range of digital and physical resources.
Union City's proximity to the airport creates genuine lifestyle advantages for frequent travelers and those employed in the aviation and logistics industries. For buyers who need Fulton County services, Atlanta access, and meaningful park amenities without the density of the city's core, Union City represents a grounded option in a part of the metro that continues to evolve.
Where Union City Sits in the Atlanta Region
Union City sits in the southern portion of Fulton County, bordered by Fairburn to the southwest, College Park to the northeast, and South Fulton to the east and south. The city's eastern boundary abuts the communities along Jonesboro Road, and the western side connects to unincorporated Fulton County. Union City is served by ZIP code 30291 and falls within the Atlanta Regional Commission's 11-county metro area.
Residents receive municipal services through the City of Union City and county-level services through Fulton County. The Fulton County School System provides K-12 education. The Gladys S. Dennard Library at South Fulton is part of the Fulton County Library System.
Green Spaces
- Ronald Bridges Park, 5285 Lakeside Drive – A park with natural surroundings offering walking access and a peaceful outdoor environment set apart from Union City's commercial corridors. City of Union City Parks and Recreation.
- Veterans Park, 3660 Royal South Parkway – A reimagined civic park honoring military service, with updated amenities and gathering spaces at the heart of the community. City of Union City Parks and Recreation.
- Mayor's Park, 5030 Union Street – A community green space offering passive recreation and varied amenities in a central Union City location. City of Union City Parks and Recreation.
Parks and Trails
- Eagles Nest Sports Complex, 6245 Roosevelt Highway – A dynamic outdoor sports facility featuring fields and recreational infrastructure for athletic leagues and family use. City of Union City Parks and Recreation.
- Ronald Bridges Park, 5285 Lakeside Drive – A natural park with walking access and an outdoor environment suited to passive recreation and nature walks. City of Union City Parks and Recreation.
- Veterans Park, 3660 Royal South Parkway – A civic park that has been reimagined as a community landmark with updated facilities and gathering areas. City of Union City Parks and Recreation.
- Mayor's Park, 5030 Union Street – A centrally located park providing open recreation space and passive outdoor areas for residents. City of Union City Parks and Recreation.
- Highway 29 Ballfields – Dedicated baseball and softball facilities serving community sports leagues and youth athletic programs. City of Union City Parks and Recreation.
- Greenway Trails – The city is making substantial investments in greenway trail infrastructure, with plans to expand non-motorized connectivity across Union City's neighborhoods. City of Union City Parks and Recreation.
Dining in Union City
- The Green Manor – A historic Southern buffet restaurant operating since 1990 in an antebellum-styled mansion built in 1910, serving daily-changing buffets of traditional Southern dishes in a distinctive setting. Best for Sunday dining and large family gatherings. The Green Manor.
- Jerk Palace Caribbean Cuisine – A locally owned Caribbean restaurant at 4550 Jonesboro Road specializing in jerk chicken and island cuisine. Best for casual weekday lunches and flavorful takeout. Jerk Palace Caribbean Cuisine.
- Dlish Restaurant and Catering – A family-owned restaurant and catering company at 6125 Feldwood Road with over a decade of experience serving comfort food and Southern classics. Best for weekday lunch, takeout, and event catering. Dlish Restaurant and Catering.
- This Is It! Southern Kitchen and Bar-B-Q – A beloved regional chain at 3920 Jonesboro Road serving award-winning barbecue rib tips, fried chicken, smothered pork chops, and classic Southern sides since 1983. Best for hearty home-style Southern meals. This Is It! Southern Kitchen and Bar-B-Q.
- JG Crab Hut – A fresh seafood restaurant at 4790 Jonesboro Road offering snow crab legs, shrimp, crawfish, and fried chicken with Southern-style sides. Best for seafood dinners and group gatherings. JG Crab Hut.
- Taqueria El Primo – A family-owned Mexican taqueria at 4548 Jonesboro Road serving traditional tacos, burritos, and Mexican plates in a casual setting. Best for quick lunches and authentic Mexican flavors. Taqueria El Primo.
Arts and Culture
Union City's history runs deeper than its suburban footprint suggests. The city traces its founding to 1826, and its built heritage is visible in several surviving historic structures, including the former Campbell County Courthouse. The City of Union City preserves records of this development and highlights how the city grew from a rural crossroads into an incorporated municipality with its own government and civic identity.
The Fulton Fresh Mobile Market operates at The Gathering Place Community Center, bringing free fresh produce and extension education to Union City residents on a seasonal basis. The program connects residents with locally grown food and practical nutrition resources in a community setting that reflects the city's ongoing investment in everyday quality of life.
Family, Pets, and Play
- The Gathering Place Community Center, 6280 Bryant Street – The city's primary community hub offering vibrant programming, event space, and activities for youth, adults, and seniors throughout the year. City of Union City Recreation.
- Etris-Darnell Senior Center – A dedicated facility providing programming, activities, and community connection for senior residents in Union City. City of Union City Recreation.
- Parks and Recreation Youth Programs – The city's recreation department offers organized youth sports, fitness programs, and seasonal activities for children and teens throughout Union City. City of Union City Recreation.
- Eagles Nest Sports Complex – A dedicated athletic facility hosting youth and adult leagues on its sports fields, with open-access use outside scheduled programming.
- Greenway Trails – Expanding non-motorized trail infrastructure connects neighborhoods and parks, offering family-friendly walking and cycling routes throughout the city.
Getting Around
Union City is organized around several major corridors that give residents efficient access to Atlanta, the airport, and neighboring communities. Interstate 85 runs through the area and provides the primary highway connection northward to Atlanta and southward into the metro's outer suburbs. U.S. Route 29 Roosevelt Highway runs parallel to I-85 through Union City and serves as a secondary major arterial. Jonesboro Road is the key commercial and residential spine, carrying the highest density of retail, dining, and services within Union City.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is approximately 10 miles from Union City, a proximity that makes the city particularly convenient for airline industry employees, frequent travelers, and logistics workers based in the airport corridor. Fairburn, College Park, South Fulton, and Palmetto are all within close driving range.
Within Union City, the greenway trail investment is expanding non-motorized options between neighborhoods and parks. The city's park system provides open space for walking and active recreation. Parking throughout the city is surface-level and generally available near commercial destinations.
Everyday Stops
- Kroger at Shannon Crossing Union City – A full-service grocery store offering a complete selection of fresh produce, a pharmacy, deli, and household staples for Union City residents. Kroger.
- Walmart Supercenter, 4735 Jonesboro Road – A large-format retailer with full grocery, pharmacy, electronics, and household goods serving the Union City area. Walmart Supercenter Union City.
- CVS Pharmacy, 3940 Jonesboro Road – A neighborhood pharmacy with drive-thru service offering prescriptions, health products, and everyday convenience items. CVS Pharmacy.
City Services and Utilities
- City Services – City of Union City, GA manages municipal administration, parks, recreation, public works, and community services for all Union City addresses.
- Water and Sewer – The City of Union City Water and Sewer Department provides water, sewer, and stormwater services, supplying over 1.1 million gallons of water daily to residential and commercial customers.
- Solid Waste – Residential sanitation services including garbage, recyclables, yard debris, and bulk pickup are provided by Green for Life (GFL) under contract with the city.
- Electric – Georgia Power and Union City Energy Authority both serve parts of Union City. Contact Georgia Power at georgiapower.com or Union City Energy Authority at unioncityenergy.com to confirm service for a specific address.
- Library – The Gladys S. Dennard Library at South Fulton at 4055 Flat Shoals Road is one of the largest Fulton County Library System branches, offering computers, digital resources, print materials, and community programming.
Nearby Communities
- Fairburn – A neighboring Fulton County community to the southwest of Union City, known for suburban residential neighborhoods, the Georgia Renaissance Festival grounds, and convenient I-85 access.
- College Park – An adjacent Fulton and Clayton County city to the northeast, home to a substantial historic district and strong airport-corridor connectivity.
- Palmetto – A smaller Fulton County community southwest of Union City with a quiet suburban character and large-lot residential properties.
- East Point – A Fulton County city to the north of Union City with its own historic neighborhood character and direct access to Atlanta's commercial and cultural amenities.
FAQs
What school district serves Union City?
Union City is served by the Fulton County School System. To find which specific schools are assigned to a particular address, use the Fulton County School Zone Explorer Maps, the district's official interactive boundary tool.
How do I set up water service for a Union City address?
Water, sewer, and stormwater services for Union City residential addresses are provided by the City of Union City Water and Sewer Department. New service requests and billing are handled through the city's Utility Division.
Who provides trash pickup in Union City?
Residential sanitation services are provided by Green for Life (GFL) under contract with the City of Union City. GFL collects garbage, recyclables, yard debris, and bulk items. For service setup or questions, visit the City of Union City Sanitation page.
What electric utility serves Union City?
Union City is served by both Georgia Power and Union City Energy Authority, depending on the specific address. Georgia Power operates as a subsidiary of Southern Company, while Union City Energy Authority is a local public power provider serving approximately 6,500 electric customers. Contact each provider or visit georgiapower.com or unioncityenergy.com to confirm which utility serves a particular address.
Is there a library in Union City?
The nearest library for Union City residents is the Gladys S. Dennard Library at South Fulton at 4055 Flat Shoals Road, operated by the Fulton County Library System. It is one of the larger branches in the county system, offering computers, digital resources, physical collections, and community programming.
How close is Union City to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport?
Union City is approximately 10 miles from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, making it one of the closer residential communities to the airport in the southwest Fulton County area. This proximity makes Union City a practical location for residents who work in the aviation industry, travel frequently, or are employed in the airport's surrounding logistics and hospitality corridor.
What parks does Union City offer?
Union City maintains several parks including Eagles Nest Sports Complex, Ronald Bridges Park, Veterans Park, Mayor's Park, and Highway 29 Ballfields. The city is also actively investing in greenway trail infrastructure to expand outdoor connectivity. For a full list of facilities and programs, visit the City of Union City Parks and Recreation Department.
Written by The Agency Atlanta • 470-990-4414 • [email protected]
Last Updated 2026-03-06
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